Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Haydock Park, Newcastle and Lingfield Park.
Ascot Best Bets
Race 4: PORSCHE LONG WALK HURDLE (Grade 1)
THIRD WIND (6)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
All eyes will be on Paisley Park as he attempts to turn the tables on recent Newbury conqueror Thyme Hill, but in a race that will have a major bearing on the betting for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the value play is THIRD WIND. This lightly-raced individual travelled smoothly into contention in a strongly contested handicap hurdle at Haydock, eventually beaten fair and square by Main Fact. In retrospect Third Wind was delivered as late as his jockey dared, and got mugged by that rival in the final 100 yards, and it could be a different scenario this time around. Improving mare Roksana can also get into the shake-up and is a must for all exotics.
Prediction:
1st THIRD WIND
2nd Main Fact
3rd Thyme Hill
4th Paisley Park
5th Thistlecrack
6th The Worlds End
Race 5: QUARENTA (8)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jonjo O’Neill Jr
QUARENTA’s course and distance triumph on seasonal return was gained in the gamest fashion, with the eight-year-old conforming his liking for plenty of cut in the ground. His stable has run into a bit of form while he will be staying on when many of the others have cried enough in what looked very deep conditions yesterday.
Race 6: ISOLATE (Each Way) (17)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
This wickedly competitive Grade 3 brings together some smart handicap hurdlers and is the betting extravaganza of the day. Buzz has been popular in the ante-post market since hacking up here a month ago and has to be taken seriously, although his powerful stable can’t seem to put together its usual high quota of pre-Christmas winners. Oakley is very solid and rarely misses out on the money in this type of race but down at the base of the weights ISOLATE really catches the eye. He’s looked very good in taking out novice hurdles at Taunton and Leicester and could have crept into this off a very good mark, although he will need to display maturity and track craft which isn’t going to be easy for such a lightly-raced individual.
Haydock Park Best Bets
Race 2: ELVIS MAIL (Nap) (2)
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
ELVIS MAIL carries a big reputation to post in an attempt to make this a fifth win from his last six outings. The hooded grey met his only defeat at the hands of Champion Hurdle winner Epatante in a Listed handicap hurdle at Newbury, and has taken well to fences, scoring comfortably on his chase debut at Ayr. He appeals very much as a horse to follow.
Race 5: ALBERT’S BACK (5)
Trainer: Mick Easterby – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Unexposed over hurdles, ALBERT’S BACK had taken a dip in the ratings when delivering in convincing style at Wetherby last month. No doubt his canny trainer will look to go back over fences soon, but in the meantime he can follow-up in a race that should also see War Lord and McGowans Pass figuring in the finish.
Race 6: HILL SIXTEEN (3)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
HILL SIXTEEN bolted up on his debut for the stable in a handicap chase at Ffos Las before following-up in more hard-fought fashion over hurdles at Newbury. He seems happier jumping fences, and even though asked to raise his game in this Tommy Whittle Chase should have plenty to say at the business end.
Newcastle Best Bets
Race 3: TOMMY’S OSCAR (1)
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
TOMMY’S OSCAR delivered in taking style at Sedgefield at the start of the month to add to an impressively consistent run of form. He tries to follow-up under a 7lb penalty which is partly alleviated by the 3lb claim of his conditional jockey. He has an alluring profile and can win again.
Lingfield Park
Race 5: SANGARIUS (6)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Easily the most interesting runner in the featured Quebec Stakes is SANGARIOUS. The Kingman colt has been beset with training issues and this is his first racecourse visit since being readily put in his place at Haydock back in June. His trainer is giving him all the time required to return to the excellent form levels shown last year when on final start he stormed home in a Group 3 at Royal Ascot.
Race 6: AL ZARAQAAN (8)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Doncaster and Kempton scorer AL ZARAQAAN jumps into handicap company with his tail up. The son of Golden Horn faces a bunch of battle-hardened foes but could easily have enough progression in him to sweep them aside.
